How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website for a Small Business
The cost of building a small business website relies on several factors. This section will explore each one to help you budget website development expenses according to your needs.
1. Web Hosting and a Domain Name
A hosting service stores your website files on a server to make them accessible online, while a domain name is a unique address that allows internet users to access your website. Both elements are crucial for launching a website.
Web Hosting
Web hosting companies provide different types of hosting to meet various needs, ranging from cost-effective shared hosting to scalable cloud and VPS hosting. These services differ in features, server resources, and prices. That’s why it’s vital to choose the right hosting plan for optimal performance and budgeting.
When considering what hosting to buy, take into account the size of your website, expected traffic, and technical requirements. Opt for a scalable hosting plan that provides reliable customer support, uptime guarantees, and robust security features to ensure your website runs smoothly.
As a small business owner, you can start your site-building journey with basic website hosting, which costs $3-15/month. Once your online store grows, scale up to cloud server hosting services for $10-200/month. The exact hosting costs vary depending on the plan period and web hosting company.
Domain Name
Domain name costs typically range between $10-20/year, depending on the top-level domain (TLD) and subscription period.
Popular TLDs like.com are usually pricier than lesser-known ones such as .business and .store. Usually, choosing a longer-term subscription plan can help you score a better deal.
2. Website Development
The cost of building a small business website also depends on how you choose to build it. There are two main approaches to building a website ‒ hire a professional or do it yourself.
Hiring a Professional
The average hourly rate for skilled web developers falls between $61-80. The cost for a custom website can range from $5,000-30,000/project, depending on the complexity, tools, the developer’s experience, and geographic location.
DIY Approach
The easiest way to build your own website is to use a content management system (CMS) or a website builder. WordPress is a popular CMS renowned for its extensive customization and flexibility. It offers a wide range of free and paid themes and plugins to scale site functions and appearance, perfect for creating custom websites with rich features.
3. Web Design
An attractive website will leave a positive impression on visitors, so you must invest in your website’s design. You can go the DIY way by using a premade template or by hiring a web designer.
DIY Approach
Website builders provide various pre-built templates for businesses, which they can further customize to fit their brand’s aesthetic. There are plenty of free options you can use to reduce design costs.
Hiring a Professional
A professional website designer can build a custom design with personalized elements and features. This approach is perfect for businesses with very specific needs that are difficult to fulfill with pre-built templates.
4. Functionality and Features
A well-built small business website should be as functional as it is visually appealing. Adding payment methods, social media sharing, and customer support can improve user experience and help achieve your business goals.
DIY Approach
Hostinger’s website maker has all the essential features to create different types of websites, including those for business purposes, for free.
Hiring a Professional
Custom online store feature costs will vary based on plugin fees and the number of development hours required.
5. Maintenance and Security
Keeping your website up-to-date and safe can cost extra, depending on how your site is built. However, investing in the necessary security measures will help protect your small business website from cyberattacks and maintain your customers’ trust.
DIY Approach
Website builders usually take care of updates and security for you. In this case, the main recurring cost is the builder’s subscription fee.
Hiring a Professional
Web developers can maintain your website for $18-20/hour if you don’t want to do it yourself. Maintenance costs with this approach vary based on the initial agreement and required tasks.
6. Marketing Services
After launching your website, start running marketing campaigns to attract visitors. Driving traffic to your website is crucial for business promotion, customer conversion, and generating income.
DIY Approach
With Hostinger’s marketing integrations, you can save money on marketing tools and services while still engaging your audience across multiple channels.
Hiring a Professional
Small businesses often allocate 2-5% of their annual revenue to marketing activities, including search engine optimization, paid advertising, and content marketing.
Small Business Website Cost-Saving Tips
Now that you know the cost of a website for a small business, let’s take a look at some effective strategies for saving money while maintaining an impactful online presence.
Plan and Phase Development
Break down your website project into phases to spread the costs over time. Start with a basic website, then add features gradually as your business grows and the budget allows for enhanced functionality and website optimization.
Focus on Essential Features
Prioritize must-have features for your website to save money during early web development, such as responsive web design, basic SEO, security measures, website optimization, and backup functionality.
Streamline Design Elements
When considering a custom web design, aim for simplicity and clarity. A minimalist approach gives your business website a professional appearance and helps reduce development time and costs.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
If you’re responsible for updating your website, make sure to do it regularly. Using the latest versions of CMS, plugins, and themes helps prevent security breaches and functionality issues.
Go DIY When Possible
Take on tasks within your capabilities, such as website setup, content creation, and general website management. For complex tasks beyond your expertise, consider hiring a professional.
Conclusion
Websites are becoming more affordable with the rise of web development solutions. For small businesses, having a website allows them to reach a wider audience and establish an online presence.
Factors like hosting, domain name registration, and site design impact the cost of a small business website. By carefully budgeting website expenses and following our cost-saving tips, you can have a professional and functional business site without breaking the bank.
Based on our website cost breakdown, the DIY approach provides an affordable solution for small businesses looking to establish an online presence. Many of the best website builders and hosting providers offer cost-effective plans with user-friendly features, allowing any business owner to create and maintain their own websites easily.
We hope this article gives you a better understanding of website costs and how to manage them for your small business. If you have any questions, check out the FAQ section or leave a comment below. Good luck!
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website for a Small Business FAQ
This section answers common questions about website costs for a small business.
Is It Worth Having a Website for a Small Business?
Absolutely. A professional website allows your business to showcase products or services, reach a wider audience, and establish credibility in the market. It also creates new opportunities for revenue and customer engagement.
Do You Have to Pay Monthly for a Small Business Website?
It depends on the chosen platform. Some platforms offer monthly subscriptions, while others provide options for annual payments or one-time fees for hosting, website development tools, and add-ons.
What Is the Average Cost of Building a Website for a Small Business?
The DIY approach with a website builder or a content management system like WordPress ranges from $0-300/year, including hosting and a domain name. Hiring a professional web designer and developer can significantly raise costs, starting at $5,000-10,000/project or more, depending on the website’s complexity.
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